Bell named Big Ten offensive player of week

Michigan State junior running back Le’Veon Bell was named the Big Ten offensive player of the week for the third time this season on Monday. Bell shared the weekly honor with Purdue quarterback Robert Marve.

Bell, who also was named the National Running Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards on Sunday, rushed for a career-best 266 yards in MSU’s 26-10 victory over Minnesota on Saturday. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry and also had a touchdown to help the Spartans (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) become bowl eligible.

The 266 yards marked the sixth-best single-game performance in school history. It also marked the third time Bell has rushed for more than 200 yards in a game this season.

Bell was also named the offensive player of the week after rushing for 210 yards in MSU’s season-opening victory over Boise State on Aug. 31, and after running for 253 yards in a win over Eastern Michigan on Sept. 22.

Bell finished the regular season with 1,648 rushing yards, the second-most in a season in school history. He also finished as the Big Ten’s leading rusher, averaging 137.3 yards per game.

Here is a look at the weekly honorees

Offensive Co-Players of the WeekLe’Veon Bell, Michigan StateJr., RB, Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison
• Finished with a career-high 266 yards rushing, the sixth-highest single-game total in school history, and a touchdown to help Michigan State defeat Minnesota on Saturday
• Recorded his third career 200-yard rushing day and third this season, having rushed for 210 yards against Boise State and 253 against Eastern Michigan
• Cracked the Big Ten’s top 10 single-season records in rushing attempts with 350 and all-purpose plays with 387 this season
• Records his third Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week selection this season
• Last Michigan State Offensive Player of the Week: Le’Veon Bell (Sept. 24, 2012)

Robert Marve, PurdueSr., QB, Tampa, Fla./Plant
• Threw for a career-high 348 yards and four touchdowns to help Purdue earn bowl eligibility with its win over Indiana on Saturday
• Connected on 20 of 29 passing attempts, with touchdown passes of eight, 19, 26 and 73 yards, becoming the first Boilermaker to throw for more than 300 yards in a game since 2009
• Directed a Purdue offense that amassed 558 yards of total offense, and completed passes to nine different receivers
• Wins his first Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award
• Last Purdue Offensive Player of the Week: Joey Elliott (Nov. 8, 2009)

Defensive Player of the WeekJordan Hill, Penn StateSr., DT, Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire
• Recorded a career-high 12 tackles in Penn State’s 24-21 overtime victory against Wisconsin on Saturday
• Credited with three tackles for loss, including two sacks, as Penn State forced eight straight punts and one turnover by Wisconsin after the Badgers took a 14-7 first-quarter lead
• Registered eight tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack, in the fourth quarter and overtime alone
• Wins his second Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award and second this season
• Last Penn State Defensive Player of the Week: Jordan Hill (Oct. 22, 2012)

Special teams player of the week
Sam Ficken, Penn StateSo., K, Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso
• Kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime to give Penn State a 24-21 triumph over Wisconsin on Saturday
• Was a perfect three-for-three on field goal tries, also converting from 23 and 32 yards, ending the season having made 10 straight attempts
• Wins his first Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award
• Last Penn State Special Teams Player of the Week: Anthony Fera (Nov. 21, 2011)

Freshman of the WeekFrankie Williams, PurdueDB, Tampa, Fla./Coral Gables
• Recorded six tackles, three pass breakups and an interception in Purdue’s victory over Indiana on Saturday
• Returned a third-quarter interception 33 yards, setting up a Purdue touchdown which gave the Boilermakers a 28-21 lead
• Claims his second Big Ten Freshman of the Week award
• Last Purdue Freshman of the Week: Frankie Williams (Sept. 3, 2012)

LeVeon Bell deserves BT POW and more, congratulations. Hopefully we see LeVeon help MSU win the BWW (or any bowl invite we get) and make us all proud some more.

Speaking of things that makes us proud. Here’s a something ESPN.com is reporting of UM’s efforts that is a bit of a stretch IMO:

From colleague Michael Rothstein:
Michigan did not immediately apply for the redshirt because of what appeared to be a miscommunication over when the redshirt could be applied. Now, with that cleared up, the Wolverines have filed the paperwork with the Big Ten office. The league has a committee that meets once every two weeks to evaluate the validity and status of medical redshirts

About this blog

Chris Solari@chrissolariChris Solari has been with LSJ Media since 2006 and has covered Spartan athletics since 1994 while attending MSU. He also was an award-winning writer while covering South Dakota State athletics from 2002-06.

Brian Calloway@brian_callowayBrian is a native of Coloma, Mich., and a 2005 graduate of Eastern Michigan. He has worked at the Lansing State Journal since October 2010.